Honored Like Royalty

As dancers, we all hope that others will recognize our potential. The Princess Grace Foundation-USA is one organization that offers tangible rewards for your dedication to dance. They provide financial awards for aspiring artists in theater, dance, choreography and film. To be considered for the dance category, you have to be a student at a professional, non-profit school or a dancer at a non-profit company. However, applicants must be nominated by their artistic director or department chair. Each company or school can submit one nomination, and a panel of dance experts at the PGF-USA will review and award six national winners each year. “Awards are based primarily on the applicant’s past artistic merit, significance of the award to his/her artistic development, and potential for future excellence and impact in the field,” according to the Foundation’s 2012 application. The grant, which ranges from $5,000 to $25,000, is awarded in the form of scholarships (one year’s tuition for students) or fellowships (one year’s salary for professionals). Among the notable 2011 Princess Grace Award winners are Joseph Gorak of American Ballet Theatre, Margaret Mullin of Pacific Northwest Ballet, Casia Vengoechea of the Juilliard Dance Division, and Jeffrey Van Sciver of Dominican University/LINES Ballet.

Perhaps more important than the financial assistance that comes with the Princess Grace Award is the fact that it recognizes and affirms dancers’ hard work and artistic potential. The honor of receiving the award goes a long way in advancing your dance career. Just think of how it will look on your resume and what an encouragement to keep improving!

MARK THE DATE! The 2012 Princess Grace Grant Application deadline is April 30, 2012.

Applications can be found at www.pgfusa.com.

Princess Grace Awards on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Princess-Grace-Awards/86145247952